“Is there a future in hand-held electronic entertainment?” So opened the press release announcing HomeComputer Software’s Supermicro on November 1, 1984. The company claimed it was the “world’s first pocket-sized computer that features interchangeable game cartridges.” Earlier game systems were cartridge based. Whether the SuperMicro was the first of its type depends on your definition of “pocket sized.”
As the photo shows, you would need a really big pocket to fit the SuperMicro, especially with the LightPak accessory in the top photo that illuminates the screen. Tellingly, the press release does not provide dimensions. In fact, it’s light on details other than to say it has an LCD and dual microprocessors. Three games were available at launch.
Introduced: November 1984
Original Retail Price: $59.95
Classic Tech 